A pacemaker device and an implantable coil prototype (Credit: MIT Portugal)
António Abreu, a Sustainable Energy Systems PhD Student under the MIT Portugal Program, currently doing research work at LNEG (Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia I.P.) has developed a non-invasive battery charger system for internal implantable devices like pacemakers or defibrillators, that could eliminate the need for surgical interventions.
Implanted electronic medical devices, like pacemakers, neuro-stimulators, or insulin pumps, need an external source of energy. Once the battery has run out, a surgical procedure similar to the initial implantation is required to replace the device. Therefore a wireless battery charger could greatly benefit patients with electronic implants.
António Abreu adds that “The non-invasive battery charger also allows to regulate the energy consumption of cardiac implants; it can therefore can be adapted to circumstances, like patients’ specific pathology and activities. It guarantees the energy supply for a communication channel between the external devices and the implant (for diagnosis and/or implant reprogramming). There will also be no need to use energy from the internal battery”.
New device uses highly efficient Transcutaneous Power System. However, these systems usually use electronic converters that generate hazardous electromagnetic interferences (EMI), potentially causing damage to the implants and to the patients. The present innovation takes that into account, and manages to eliminate such phenomena.
As a research project, the prototype has won a prize by “2005´s Jaime Filipe Engineer Award” for the best innovative design and an honorable mention (2009).
The prototype, patented by António Abreu in the USA (Non-Invasive Battery Recharger for Electronic Cardiac Implants) and in Europe with the support of the PRIME (Incentive Program for the Modernization of the Economy) program and approved by the European Commission, was initially designed solely for pacemakers. However, new improved techniques allow to use the same principle for high-power high-voltage devices like defibrillators. Moreover, the same idea can be applied to improve the high power electrical transmission and distribution systems (electrical grid).
